Closing machine



Dec- 29, 1959 E, L Axo 2,918,888

CLOSING MACHINE Dec. 29, 1959 E. LAxo 2,918,888

CLOSING MACHINE Filed June 2e, 1955 4 sheets-sheet 2 A T TOPNEV Dec. 29, 1959 E. L Axo CLOSING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 28, 1955 INVENTR. ED LXO ATTURNEY 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 28. 1955 JNVENTOR. E0 L A XO ATTORNEY United States Patent O CLOSING MACHINE Ed Laxo, Oakland, Calif. Application June 28, 1955, Serial No. 518,481 3 Claims. (Cl. 113-22) This invention relates to a closing machine or double seamer for applying covers to can bodies.

A common and widely used type of double seamer employed for the purpose of applying covers or ends to can bodies is provided with a plurality of lifter pads to support can bodies in vertical position, a seaming chuck for each such lifter pad in vertical alignment therewith for clamping a can cover to a can body, and a pair of seaming rolls for each said chuck consisting of a so-called first operation seaming roll and a so-called second operation seaming roll. The rst operation seaming roll forms a part of the double seam formation and the second operation seaming roll completes the seam formation.

Such prior double seamers have been subject to certain disadvantages, including the fact that the machanism employed for operating the first and second operation seaming rolls have been relatively complex and have required a separate shaft for each roll.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved closing machine or double seamer.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a closing machine or double seamer of the type employing seaming rolls for accomplishing the first and second seaming operations, but which is of simplified design as compared to previous machines.

Another object is to provide a closing machine or double seamer of the character described which employs seaming rolls for forming end seams, which is of relatively small diameter and which forms the end seams elficiently.

A further object is to provide a closing machine or double seamer of the character described employing a pair of seaming rolls for the first and second seaming operations and in which both seaming rolls are operated by a single shaft.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the ensuing description and the appended claims.

One form of the invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a vertical, sectional view through the closing machine of the present invention showing a lifter pad assembly and a chuck assembly which constitute a pair of the seaming elements of the machine.

Figure 2 is a view taken along the line 2 2 of Figure 1 but with certain parts removed to show more clearly the seaming rolls and the means employed to operate these rolls.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary top plan view taken generally along the line 3 3 of Figure l, showing the seaming rolls and operating mechanism therefor on a larger scale than in Figure 2, the seaming rolls being shown in the relative positions which they occupy during the rst operation.

Figure 4 is a view similar to that shown in Figure 2 but showing an adaptation of the machine of the present invention to rectangular cans.

Figure 5 is a view similar to that shown in Figure 3 but showing the positions of the seaming rolls during the second operation.

Figure 6 is a staggered view taken along the line 6 6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a view taken along the line 7 7 of Figure 6.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figure l, the machine is generally designated by the reference numeral l0 and it comprises a main shaft 11 journaled in the frame of the machine and to the lower end of which is fixed a skirt 12 which supports a plurality of lifter pad assemblies one of which is shown and is generally designated by the reference numeral 13. Each lifter pad assembly 13 supports a can body such as shown at 14.

The skirt 12 is clamped in fixed position to the shaft 11. An upper skirt or spider 15 is provided which is keyed at 16 to the shaft 11 so as to rotate therewith but to be slidable therealong for height adjustment in the manner described hereinafter. The skirt 15 supports a plurality of chuck assemblies 17, one of which is shown in Figure l, there being one such chuck assembly for each lifter pad assembly and being in vertical alignment with its lifter pad assembly.

An outer hub 18 is provided which is fixed to the lower skirt 12 and in which is journaled a worm 19 fixed to a shaft 20. The worm 19 engages a worm wheel 25 which is integral with an inner hub 26 which is formed with a shoulder 27 upon which the outer hub 18 rests. The inner hub or sleeve 26 is threaded internally and is in threaded engagement with a sleeve 28 which is keyed to the shaft 11 and which is bolted at its upper end to the upper skirt 15,

It will be apparent that, by rotating the shaft 20 and worm 19, the inner hub 26 will be turned and it will raise or lower the sleeve 28, and with it the upper skirt 15, according to the direction of rotation of the shaft 20. By this means the spacing of the lifter pad assemblies 13 and chuck assemblies 17 is accomplished. When proper adjustment has been made, the hubs 18 and 26 are clamped in adjusted position by any suitable means (not shown).

The lifter pad assembly 13 comprises a shaft 34 which is slidable in a sleeve 35 and is held against rotation by a shoe 36 xed to the lower end of the shaft 34, to which end a cam roller 37 is also lixed. The cam roller 37 rolls on a lifter cam 38 for the purpose of raising and lowering `the lifter pad assembly 13 as required, and as explained hereinafter. A lifter pad is provided at 40 which has a central opening at 41 for a purpose explained hereinafter and which is normally closed as by means of a screw 42. The lifter pad 40 is bolted to a sleeve 43 which is slidable and rotatable on a bushing 44. Ball bearings are provided at 45, the outer races of which are held between shoulders 46 and 47 on the pad 40 and sleeve 43, respectively. The inner race of the ball bearings 45 is held between a shoulder 48 on a sleeve 49 and a shoulder 50 on a cap 55. The cap 55 is bolted to a sleeve 56, the lower end of which bears against a cross piece 57. The cross piece 57 is cylindrical in shape, it is slideably received in a transverse passage 58 formed in the upper end of the shaft 34, and it is recessed at its ends at 59 to provide notches for seating against the sleeve 49.

As will be seen, the cap 55 is formed with a socket 65 and a passage 66 to receive the head and shank, respectively, of a cap screw 67 which also extends through a hole 68 in the cross piece 57 and through a lug 69 into an axial passage 70 in the lifter shaft 34. The passage 70 receives a nut 75 which is keyed to the shaft 34 to prevent its rotation and which is threaded to the screw 67. A coiled spring 76 is compressed between the nut and lug 69.

It will be apparent that the spring 76 will act against the lifter pad 40 and will urge it resiliently upwardly. Whenever it is desired to adjust this upward force, the plug 42 is unscrewed from its hole 41 and a screw driver is inserted through the hole 41 and is engaged with the screw 67 to turn it one way or the other until the force of the spring 76 has been adjusted as desired. Then the plug 42 is re-inserted.

This operation is required to adjust for small differences in can body height and/or to adjust the base pressure on can bodies for a longer or shorter body hook. Thus a greater base pressure produces a longer body hook and a lesser base pressure produces a shorter body hook. These adjustments can be carried out very quickly with no dismantling except for removal of the plug 42.

Each chuck assembly 17 comprises a chuck 77 for bearing against the cover 78 of a can. The chuck 77 is bolted to a spindle 79 having an axial passage 80 therein for a purpose explained hereinafter. The spindle 79 is journaled in ball bearings 81 which are clamped to a sleeve 82 by means of nuts 83. The sleeve 82 is integral with the skirt 15. Fixed to the spindle 79 is a pinion 84 which meshes with a ring gear 85 which is bolted to the stationary frame of the machine. Therefore, as the shaft 11 rotates, the pinion 84 and gear 85 will cause the spindle 79 and chuck 77 to spin about the spindle axis.

A knock out rod 90 is also provided which is slideable in the axial passage 80 in spindle 79. To the lower end of the rod 90 is fixed a knock out head 91. Near its upper end the knock out rod 90 is provided with a shoulder 92 and above this shoulder the rod 90 is received in a socket 93 which is fixed to the skirt 15. An expansion spring 94 is provided which is compressed between the shoulder 92 and the upper end of the socket 93. At its extreme upper end the knock out rod 90 carries a cam roller 95 which rides in a cam groove 96. Normally the cam groove 96 holds the cam roller 95, and with it the knock out rod 90, in the elevated position illustrated in Figure l, but the cam groove 96 has a decline (not shown) which is located to cause the rod 90 and its head 91 to move downwardly after the closing operation has been completed, in order to detach the closed can from the chuck for ejection from the machine. The spring 94 provides a snap action which accelerates the ejection of a closed can.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 2, can bodies are shown at 14 and can covers at 78 as they are supplied to the machine. The can bodies are supplied to the machine by a can body feed generally designated as 97 which may be of any desired type, eg., a worm having a varying pitch to properly index the can bodies and driven in timed relation to the other components of the machine. The can covers 78 are supplied to the machine by a can cover feed turret 98 driven by a shaft 99 and having pockets 100 for reception of the can covers, the shaft 99 being driven in timed relation to the remaining components of the machine. A can end feed mechanism (not shown) may be located at 105, which may be of known type and requires no detailed description herein except to note that it holds a stack of can ends and has suitable means, such as a rotary stripper blade to strip can ends one-by-one from the bottom of the stack and to feed them to pockets 100 of the turret 98 as the latter rotates. Also shown in Figure 2 are spaced, curved, guide bart 106 which receive the closed can bodies and guide them to a guideway and conveyor 107.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 5, 6 and 7 and also to Figure 3, a seaming roll assembly is there illustrated which is generally designated by the reference numeral 115. This assembly comprises a first operation seaming roll 116 having a peripheral groove 117 formed therein and a second operation seaming roll 118 having a peripheral groove 119 formed therein. The grooves 117 and 119 are intended to cooperate with a peripheral lip 120 formed on the seaming chuck 77 (see Figure 1). The first operation seaming roll 116 is rotatable on a shaft 121 which is clamped at 122 (see Figure 7) to an arm 123 which has a sleeve 124 best shown in Figure 6 which is rotatable on the lower end 125 of a shaft 126. The second operation seaming roll 118 is similarly rotatable on a shaft 128, which is clamped at 129 to an arm 130 which is formed with a button 135 which is rotatable in the sleeve 124. A cap screw 136 is provided which is employed to clamp the two arms 123 and 130 in place. A bracket 137 is also provided which is integral with the shaft 126 at the lower end thereof, which extends laterally therefrom and which has depending lugs 138 at opposite ends. Set screws 139 are threaded through the lugs 138 and are locked in adjusted position by means of nuts 140. It will be apparent that the relative positions of the first and second operation seaming rolls 116 and 118 can be adjusted by loosening the cap screw 136 and lock nuts 140 and turning the set screws 139 to rotate the arms 123 and 130 relatively to the shaft 126 and to each other until the seaming rolls 116 and 118 are in the desired angular positions with respect to one another. The cap screw 136 and the lock nuts 140 are then tightened, thereby firmly clamping the seaming rolls 116 and 118 in adjusted position.

The first operation seaming roll 116 is provided with a cam follower roller 141 which is rotatably mounted at the outer end of a lever 142, the inner end of which is integral with a sleeve 143 which is keyed at 144 to the shaft 126. It will, therefore, be apparent that pivoting of the cam follower roller 141 will cause a similar pivoting of the shaft 126 and of the first operation seaming roll 116. The second operation seaming roll 118 is also provided with a cam follower roller which is designated by the reference numeral 145 and which is rotatably mounted in the outer end of a lever 146. The lever 146 is integral at its other end with a sleeve 147 which is rotatable on the shaft 126. A lug 148 shown in Figures 5 and 6 is integral with the lever 146 and a mating lug 149 shown in Figure 5 is integral with the sleeve 143. A countersunk cap screw 150 extends slideably through both the lugs 148 and 149. A nut 155 is threaded to the cap screw 150 and an expansion spring 156 is cornpressed between the nut and the lug 148.

Referring now to Figures 2, 3 and 5, a first operation cam 157 is provided and also a second operation cam 158, both of which are bolted to the frame of the machine. The first operation cam 157 is shown in Figures 2 and 5 and the second operation cam 158 is shown in Figures 2 and 3.

In operation, can bodies 14 and can covers 78 are supplied to the machine in the manner described above with reference to Figure 2, in properly timed relation to operation of the closing machine. Each can body 14 is deposited on a lifter pad 40 and each can cover 78 is deposited on top of a can body, as best shown in Figure l. At this precise stage of operation the corresponding lifter roller 37 (see Figure l) is riding on the low dwell of the lifter cam 38 to allow clearance between the can body and can cover and the seaming chuck 77. Thereafter, when the can cover is properly seated on the can body, the lifter roller 37 rides up a cam rise onto the high dwell of the lifter cam 38, thereby firmly clamping the can body and can cover to the seaming chuck as described hereinabove. Meanwhile the first operation cam follower roller 141 will be in engagement with the first operation cam 157 as illustrated in Figure 5, and as illustrated in the case of one of the assemblies 115 in Figure 2. Since the first operation cam follower roller 141 is in engagement with the first operation seaming cam 157, the pivot shaft 126 will be rerotated counterclockwise as viewed in Figures 2 and S, to contact the first operation seaming roll 116 with the corresponding can body and can cover. Meanwhile the spindle 79 and chuck 77 will be rapidly rotated by means of the pinion 84 and gear 85. During the course of movement along the rst operation cam 157, the seam ing chuck and can body and can cover will be rotated several times, thereby effectively and dependably accomplishing the first operation in the seam formation.

As will be seen from an inspection of Figure 2, the first and second operation cams 157 and 158 overlap to a small degree such that, as each first operation carri follower roller 141 rides olf of the earn 157, the corresponding second operation cam follower roller 145 will roll onto the cam 158. From the description hereinabove and from an inspection of Figures 5 and 6, it will be apparent that, when the roller 145 contacts the second operation cam 158, the shaft 126 will be rotated in clockwise direction as viewed in Figures 2 and 3 so as to bring the second operation seaming roll 118 into contact with the partially formed seam. By the time the seaming chuck, can body and can cover have progressed to the exit of the machine they will have been rotated several times and the second seaming operation will have been accomplished effectively and dependably.

There will, of course, be variations in metal thickness, particularly at the junction of the end seam and the can body side seam. During the first seaming operation this variation in metal thickness does not present a critical problem. There is suflicient spacing of the several layers of juxtaposed metal (i.e., the metal layers are sufficiently loose), to provide the necessary yielding. However, as the seam is tightened up during the second operation it becomes important to provide adequate pressure to form a tight seam without an undue amount of pressure such as might cause splitting of the metal.

This object is accomplished in accordance with the present invention by means of the resilient connection between the second operation cam follower roller 145 and the shaft 126. As will be seen from Figures 3, 5 and 6, and as will be apparent from the description hereinabove, the expansive force of the spring 156 holds the two lugs 148 and 149 together so that, when the lug 148 is rotated clockwise, as viewed in Figure 2, by contact of the cam follower roller 145 with the second operation cam 158, the shaft 126, and with it the second operation seaming roll 118, will rotate in the same direction. However, if an undue amount of pressure is exerted on the second operation seaming roll 118, as by an extra thickness of metal such as that encountered at the junction of the end seam and can body side seam, the second operation seaming roll 118 is free to rotate in counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 3, against the expansive force of the spring 156, thereby separating the lugs 15S and 159 a slight amount. This relieves the pressure and prevents splitting of the metal.

The force of the spring 156 can be adjusted by means of the nut 155, thereby providing a means which is very easily manipulated for exerting at all times a proper and sufficient force between the second operation seaming roll 118 and the end seam of the can body and can cover without, however, exceeding a safe pressure. This insures effective and dependable seam formation without the likelihood of splitting of the metal.

Referring now to Figure 4, there is illustrated a modification of the machine for use with rectangular cans. Parts shown in Figure 4 which are identical with or similar to parts shown in Figure 2, are identically or similarly numbered. In this instance it is desired to apply covers to rectangular can bodies which are generally designated by the reference numeral 165, each such body having two long sides 166, two short sides 167 and four rounded corners 168. Corresponding rectangular covers are generally designated by the reference numeral 169 and have corresponding long sides 170, short sides 171 and four rounded corners 172.

The lifter pads are shown at 40 which may be identical with the lifter pads 40 shown in Figures 1 and 2. The

seaming chucks (not shown) are, however, of rectangular configuration corresponding in size and shape to the can covers 170 and can bodies 165. The seaming roll assemblies a are identical with the seaming assembly 115 illustrated in Figure 6 and described hereinabove. However, the first and second operation cams 157a and 158a are of a different configuration to correspond to the configuration of the can bodies and can covers 169. Thus, as will be seen, each of the arcuate seaming bars 157a and 158e is of generally circular configuration but has a wavy or sinuous contour 180. This contour consists of a repetitive pattern or unit each of which consists of two convex segments 181 corresponding to the two long sides 166 of a can body, two concave segments 182 corresponding to the two short sides 167 of a can body and four segments of inflection 183 corresponding to the four corners 168 of a can body.

It will be apparent that, in operation, the seaming rolls 116 and 118 will be caused to oscillate by the wavy contour of the cams 157a and 158a in precise correspondence to the contour of the can body and can end. The seaming rolls are, therefore, held in firm precise contact with the can body ange and can cover curl and with the seam as it is being formed, thereby effectively forming a double seam.

It will be understood that the principle illustrated in Figure 4 and described hereinabove in connection with rectangular cans, is applicable also to square cans and to other cans of non-round (e.g., oval or triangular) configuration.

The seaming rolls 116 and 118 and the cam follower rollers 141 and 145 may, if desired, be urged outwardly by suitable spring means (not shown) so that the seaming rolls will clear the cans as they enter the machine and are eievated by the lifter pads, and so that the cam rollers will be urged toward the seaming cams. However, this is not necessary; the centrifugal force induced by rapid operation of the machine will hold the seaming rolls and cam rollers in a neutral position.

It will, therefore, be apparent that a closing machine or double seamer has been provided which embodies certain novel and advantageous features. Thus, it is capable of operating at high speed; it can be of relatively small diameter; and the two seaming rolls of each seaming roll assembly are operated by a single shaft. Means is provided for automatic yielding of the second operation seaming roll in response to extra metal thickness, and a sufficient but not an excessive pressure is maintained at all times to insure tight seam formation without splitting of the metal. Other important features of the machine include the height adjustment for moving the upper skirt 15 upwards and downwards to adjust for can bodies of different heights; the ease with which the spring pressure on the lifter pad can be adjusted; the ready adjustability, angularly, of the seaming rolls on their shaft 126; and adaptation of the machine to cans of square, rectangular or other nonround configuration.

I claim:

1. A double seamer comprising a stationary frame; a central shaft journaled in said frame for rotation about a central axis; a lifter pad assembly and a seaming chuck assembly arranged in axial alignment with one another and mounted for rotation with said shaft about said central axis and for spinning about their common, spin axis, said seaming chuck having a rectangular shape corresponding to the cross section of a rectangular can body; first and second seaming rolls of circular cross section for cooperation with said seaming chuck to form the initial and final operations of double seam formation; a common pivot shaft pivoting said rolls to and from operative engagement with said seaming chuck, a first cam follower means rigidly fixed to said pivot shaft for so pivoting the first seaming roll, a second cam follower means resiliently 'fixed to said pivot shaft for so pivoting said second seaming roll but allowing pivoting of the pivot shaft independently of said second follower means in response to an extra metal thickness such as that encountered at the junction of the end seam and side seam of a can, and rst and second cams Xed to the frame of the machine for operating said cam followers to bring the `first scarning roll into operative engagement with the seaming chuck and then the second seaming roll into operative engagement therewith, each said cam having a sinuous contour consisting of a repetitive pattern, each unit of which corresponds to the complete periphery of a rectangular can body and can cover'.

2. In a double seamer of the type comprising a frame, a main shaft rotatable in the frame, at least one seaming head carried by the main shaft and adapted to clamp together a can body and can cover in superimposed relation and to cooperate with a seaming roll to form an end seam joining the cover to the body, the improvement which comprises first and second cams fixed to the frame, rst and second cam followers for contacting the rst and second cams, respectively, a single pivot shaft carried with and rotatable relatively to said head, said first and second cam followers being connected to the pivot shaft and rst and second seeming rolls also connected to the pivot shaft and each being movable by said shaft into and References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,450,418 Guenther Apr. 3, 1923 1,752,912 Kronquest Apr. l, 1930 2,216,082 Kronquest et al. Sept. 24, 1940 2,255,707 Kronquest et al Sept. 9, 1941 2,447,525 Nordquist Aug. 24, 1948 2,540,001 Laxo Ian. 30, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 52,890 Norway Aug. 7, 1933 

